“We’re trying to be transparent with our fan base - that there are no short cuts. There was a bit of a talent deficit throughout the whole system when we got there. So rather than look for quick fixes in free agency, we’re trying to build a foundation through young players that will get us to a point where we can contend every year.

“It might be tough sledding along the way, but we’re being open about it and I think our fans understand. As patient as they’ve been for 103 or 104 years, I think they appreciate the emphasis on young players and I think they can be patient a bit longer. When we get there, it’s going to be a lot of fun.’’

-Theo, Summer of 2012

This is just one quote, but there are several similar that vocalize the strategy.

I need to be reminded of something. Did Theo really trumpet the plan? I mean other than saying the usual 5 year plan stuff that any GM/Pres hire would say. Or did this stuff of an almighty "The Plan" really grow to stupid levels due to Bernsie here? I never here my relative Cub fans with no board connection refer to "The Plan" like that.

let me interpret for you: Theo Epstein is a young,cocky,know-it-all ASSHOLE!

And yet the owner has been less than transparent:

“I’ll be honest: I think we have a team that can do it next year,” he said earnestly. (Tom Ricketts, 2009)

Of course, that is not what happened, not the next year or the next after that or the next or the next or this dismal season about to mercifully end. Instead the Cubs have lost baseball games at a pace remarkable even for a team notorious for the longevity of its futility. (NY Times article)

5 years of pure crap = one playoff appearance?? They were every 3 years average making the postseason under Hendry,I think.

Not at all what I asked.

I will never quit being a Cubs fan! I will root for them until the day I die (again).

#missionaccomplished

From the same guy that said that he would be disappointed with only one World Series victory if they weren't highly competitive after it.

let me interpret for you: Theo Epstein is a young,cocky,know-it-all ASSHOLE!

Isnt missionaccomplished a joke/shot at George Bush's extremely pre mature Declaration about the Iraq war?

That would be pretty illogical given the rest of his post.

Jimmy, Im just asking here, did you formulate that opinion right away when he came to the Cubs?

It would make sense if you did

I have MANY years of experience in trying to appreciate steaming piles of dogshit.

pretty sure he formulated that opinion before Theo was officially in charge.

My wife said 2 things about Bernstein today:

"He sounds like a man that was never challenged to be a man."
"He gives a lot of opinions without probably having many life experiences."

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

I like Will Smith. His family is mucho obnoxious.

Theo officially entered my doghouse when in his first year,he decided it was OK to immediately suck even though MLB added an extra WC team to the playoff picture that year. The beginning of season 3 was especially sickening as he did next to nothing to improve this team's offense.

jimmy gets it!

For the rest of you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjgE4kNSU74

I just checked and today is not a good day so far for the #core.

0-8 with 6 K and 1 BB from Soler, Alcantara and Baez. 5 IP 3 ER for Cy Hendricks. Ow. Those guys are bad.

1-14, 1 BB, 9 K.

I mean... wow.

The past does not affect the future.

It's more fun to be a victim

There will never be an effective vaccine. I'll never get one anyway.

Are you stoned or pissed off, or both, when you create these postings?

Not sure when the lines for MLB 2015 win totals come out, but one site said they expect the Cubs total to be set at 73.5. Don't know if fans can live with another year of this.

You're being quite special lately. I thought all of that losing over the past 3 years was to better the team for the future.